2023 Honda ZR-V detailed for Japan with hybrid, hints at Australian line-up

The Honda ZR-V has been detailed for the Japanese home market, giving hints as to what to anticipate from the as but unnamed new mannequin sure for the Australian market subsequent 12 months.

Based mostly on the Civic small automobile, the ZR-V is obtainable in two trim ranges in Japan, following an identical vary construction to the smaller Jazz-based HR-V crossover.

Priced from 2,949,100 yen ($31,605), the entry-level ZR-V X comes geared up with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, fabric upholstery, the Honda Sensing help suite, dual-zone local weather management, an influence tailgate, and heated entrance seats in AWD variations. The Honda Join touchscreen infotainment system is non-obligatory in Japan.

Leaping to the ZR-V Z provides larger grade auto-levelling LED headlights, body-coloured decrease bumper trim, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, real leather-based seat trim, LED ambient inside lighting, 8-way energy driver’s seat and 4-way energy entrance passenger’s seat, LED cornering lights, encompass cameras, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a heated steering wheel, hands-free energy tailgate, and a wi-fi cellphone charger.

Each X and Z grades can be found with a 131kW/240Nm 1.5-litre VTEC four-cylinder turbo petrol and a 135kW/315Nm 2.0-litre e:HEV petrol-electric hybrid – the identical choices because the associated Civic Hatch.

Based mostly on the Civic small automobile, the ZR-V is obtainable in two trim ranges in Japan, following an identical vary construction to the smaller Jazz-based HR-V crossover. Each turbo petrol and four-cylinder e:HEV hybrid variations can be found in each entrance and all-wheel drive configurations.

The VTEC Turbo is mated with a constantly variable transmission (CVT) which notes the inclusion of a ‘torque converter’, whereas the e:HEV makes use of an digital CVT (e-CVT) – very similar to Toyota’s hybrid transmissions.

Based on Japanese WLTC specs, the 1.5-litre turbo manages 13.9-14.6km/L (7.19-6.85L/100km) and the e:HEV quotes 21.7-22.1km/L (4.6-4.52L/100km).

Honda quotes dimensions of 4570mm lengthy, 1840mm huge 1620mm tall with minimal floor clearance listed as 190mm. No wheelbase is listed on the Japanese web site, however the US model (badged there as HR-V) rides on a 2654mm wheelbase. Automobile weight is 1460-1520kg for the turbo petrol, 1560-1610kg for the e:HEV.

For reference, the Nissan Qashqai measures 4425mm lengthy, 1835mm huge, and 1625mm tall with a 2665mm wheelbase.

The ZR-V was just lately accredited on the market in Australia in keeping with a neighborhood authorities database, which listed each 1.5T and a pair of.0 e:HEV powertrain variants within the submitting.

Honda Australia has but to truly verify the ZR-V for a neighborhood introduction, although confirmed in Could a 3rd SUV will probably be launching Down Underneath someday in 2023 to fit between the HR-V and CR-V, providing 5 seats (in contrast to the brand new HR-V’s 4 pews) and a hybrid choice.

“For these clients wanting 5 seats and/or extra practicality, we’re very assured we’ll have the ability to cater for these wants [with the new SUV model],” mentioned Honda Australia’s then director, Stephen Collins, again in Could.

“What we’ll see over the following 12 to 18 months or so, is a line-up of three distinct SUVs.”

It’s unclear what the ZR-V’s worth positioning will probably be when it reaches the Australian market, however Honda’s latest change to an company gross sales mannequin noticed streamlined variant line-ups with nationwide drive-away pricing on the extra premium finish.

The smaller HR-V is priced from $36,700 D/A for the entry-level Vi X, climbing to $47,000 D/A for the e:HEV L hybrid. In the meantime, the bigger (and shortly to get replaced) CR-V begins at $35,900 D/A and tops out at $53,600 D/A, throughout a denser line-up of 9 variants for the 2022 mannequin 12 months.

Given Honda’s pared again technique for brand spanking new launches, we’d wager the ZR-V will supply each X and Z trim ranges, although whether or not each powertrains and each driveline layouts make the journey stays to be seen. Anticipate excessive grades to supply AWD.

We’re anticipating the entry-level mannequin to start out within the $40,000 bracket drive-away, and high out within the $50,000 band.

Keep tuned to CarExpert for all the newest, and tell us your ideas within the feedback.

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